The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. How we manage this vital resource is essential for humanity as a whole, and to counter balance the effects of climate change.

Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. However, today we are seeing 30 percent of the world’s fish stocks overexploited, reaching below the level at which they can produce sustainable yields.

Oceans also absorb about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, and we are seeing a 26 percent rise in ocean acidification since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Marine pollution, an overwhelming majority of which comes from land-based sources, is reaching alarming levels, with an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic litter to be found on every square kilometre of ocean.

The SDGs aim to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution, as well as address the impacts of ocean acidification. Enhancing conservation and the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law will also help mitigate some of the challenges facing our oceans.

India is the second-largest producer of fish in the world and is putting a demand on fish supplies that is 2-3 times greater than the oceans can support over time. At this rate, fish catch in tropical areas is expected to decline 40 percent by 2050. MORE >

Over the years, the ecosystems of the Sabana-Camagüey region have come under varying degrees of pressure as a result of unsustainable practices. The Government of Cuba and its partners, with support from UNDP and funding from the Global Enviornment Facility, began to turn challenges into opportunities, using nature-based solutions. MORE >